Diaphragm



May 10, 1938. c. SHAW 2,117,219

DIAPHRAGM Filed Aug. l14:, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FI 6.-. A l nl ,D mm.' l

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lil s] A I I 27 FIG:

INVENTOR WILLIAM CLIFFORD SHAW ATT'YS.

Patented May' 10, 1938 Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DIAPHBAGM derman Devices,

Incorporated,

lmillsfon,

Del., a corporation of Delaware Application August 4, 1933, serial No. 683,585

'l Claims.

This invention relates to uid pressure and Y vacuum operated metallic diaphragms and provides instrumentalities adaptable for general application and transmission of power which are durable, highly efiicient in operation, inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, and which are capable of utilization in connection with various types of devices.

This application is a continuation in part of my co-pending application, Serial No. 654,279, led January 30, 1933.

One of the objects of my presentinvention is lto provide an all metallic diaphragmatic device for use in connection with various types of uid pressure and vacuum operating systems.

Another object of this invention is to produce a new article of manufacture having a pluralitr of expansible chambers arranged in series to form a unitary accordion-like expansible chamber for any purpose to which such an expansible diaphragm may be used.

Another object of this invention is toprovide a diaphragm of the type described which is made of a series of leaves preferably welded or othrwise permanently secured at their edges in which `the connecting portions of the leaves are so a1'- ranged as to not be subjected to fatigue due to constant expansionand contraction of the diaphragm. ,i

Other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter as the description thereof proceeds, the novel features, arrangements, and combinations being clearly set forth in the specication and claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an inside elevational view of a braking mechanism with the `diaphragm constructed according to my invention used for applying the braking pressure, parts of the braking mechanism being broken away;

Fig. 2 isfta section takenwalong the..` line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

, Fig. "3 is a perspective view of a diaphragm constructed according to my invention; -Y

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the diaphragm shown in Fig. 3 showing the diaphragm ina partially completed state;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the finished diaphragm;

...Figs 6 and 7 are views similar `to Figs. 4 and 5 showing a modified form of my invention;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a still further modiilcation of the diaphragm construction; l ,Y

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view through the diaphragm shown in Fig. 8 showing the diaphragm in a partially completed state;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing the diaphragm completed;

In Figs. 1 and 2 o the drawings, 2li indicatesV the brake drum o1' an automobile orthe like, and 2| a brake-shoe 'support which is generally secured to the axle of an 'automobile The brake shoes are indicated by the reference numeral 22 and these are arranged peripherally about the support 2| with diaphragms 23 arranged between the brake shoes and the adjacent surface 24 of a peripheral metallic chamber 25 on the support 2| which chamber 25 is adapted to receive the pressureV iluid through a tube 26 in a manner which is more fully described in my aforesaid copending application. The diaphragm itself as is clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, has connected thereto a hollow b`olt 2l through which the pressure uid is introduced into the diaphragm. The hollow bolt 2l has an enlarged aredhead 28 welded or otherwise permanently secured to a conical flange 29 on the diaphragm indicated generally at 23. Peripherally arranged passages 30 in the bolt 2l form communicating passages between the hollow chamber 25 and the interior of the diaphragm 23 so that when the pressure iluid is forced into thechamber 25. it is distributed to the diaphragm 23 through the passages 30 and hollow bolts 2l. I

The present invention relates particularly to the diaphragm to be used for applying the brakes and the method of constructing saiddiaphragm.

The construction ofA one form of my invention is illustrated clearly in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 in which the reference characters 3|, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 indicate iat plates or leaves which are of substantially the same outer peripheral dimension. 'I'he leaf 3| has the conical flange 29 formed thereon and before assembling the leaves of the diaphragm, the bolt 21 is welded or--ptherwise secured permanently to the flange 23 so as to provide a leak-proof joint there-between. The leaves 33 and 35 are formed respectively with the upstanding cylindrical anges 31 and 38. Adjacent leaves 32 and 34 are formed with openings centrally thereof of substantially the same outer diameter as the outer diameters of the ilanges 31 and 3l respectively.

Pairs of leaves 3|-`32, 33-3l, 35-43, are then joined peripherally by welding the same along their meeting peripheral edges as at 33, or by turning over the edges of the leaves, whereby the cuter peripheries ofeach pair of leaves are permanently secured together in fluid-tight enbl'ed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4, and the anges 31 and 38 are then swaged outwardly over the adjacent edges of the leaves 32 and 34 respectively in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5, whereby to make a fluid-tight diaphragm having one port comprising the hollow bolt 21. As will be noted from an inspection of Fig, 5, the passageway between the pairs of leaves 3I-32 and 33-34 is larger than the passageway between pairs of leaves 33-34 and 35-36 so that when the leaves are collapsed they may lie flatly against each other and the anges 31 and 38 will not interfere with the complete collapsing of the diaphragm. This enables the diaphragm to be collapsed within a smaller space and enables the diaphragm to be used to the full extent of its expan'sibility.` In Figs. 6 and 7, I have illustrated a modied construction of my invention in which there are leaves 46, 4l, 42, 43, 44, and 45 similar to the corresponding leaves 3l to 36 inclusive in Fig. 4, but instead of providing anges such as 31 and 3l on leaves 33 and 35 respectively, on the leaves 42 and 44 respectively, I make the leaves 42 and 44 with central openings of the same diameter as the central openings in the leaves 4i and 43 and join leaves 4I and 42 and leaves 43I and 44 respectively by the eyelets 46 and 41 respectively which are formed as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 and then upset as in Fig. 7 to overlie the edges of the adjacent leaves and hold the same securely in liquid-tightengagement with each other. The central portions of theleaves are off-set in the manner clearly illustrated in Fig. 7 in order to permit the remaining portions of the leaves to be brought into engagement with each other when the diaphragm is completely collapsed.

In Fig. 8, I have illustrated a still further modification of my invention in which there are pairs of leaves 4849, 50-5I, and 52-53, each pair being-of successivelygreater peripheral dimensions, whereby the-leaves 49 and 53 can berst 'joined together centrally as by upsetting the flange 54 on the leaves 40 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4 and the flange 55 on the leaf 52 similarly upset over the adjacent edge of the leaf l before the peripheral edges of the pairs of leaves are joined by welding at 56 and this enables a very tight joint to be made rst between the leaves 49 and 50 and the leaves 5| and 52, and one might even weld these edges together before theouter peripheral edges of the leaves are welded together. The leaves are then assembled as in Fig. 9 and the edges welded at 56. Since the pairs of leaves are successively of greater diameters, one can better weld the edges together with welding equipment. I

I prefer to have the leaves of the diaphragm made from resilient metal having long life and capable of assisting the diaphragm in its collapsa single. diaphragm, it is possible to get a totalmovement which is greater. than can be obtained with the same amount f flexing of the leaves of -a single diaphragm. However, I wish to have it understood that my invention is not limited to having a plurality of diaphragms as shown in the drawings. as it may be found desirable to use a single diaphragm for the purposes set forth.

In my copending application, Serial No. 721,844, filed April 23, 1934, there vis illustrated and claimed a further form of diaphragm having curved edges and provided with inserts between the portions connecting the curved edges.

The fluid may be introduced into the diaphragm in the manner indicated in my aforementioned application, Serial No. 654,279, or in any other desired manner. Also it is to be understood that the diaphragm construction is of general application and is suitable for a great number of other purposes than that described in this application.

Claims to the brake or clutch structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and to the diaphragm in combination therewith, are presented in my aforesaid application Serial No.A 654,279. Only claims to the diaphragmstructure as a device of general utility are presented herein.

Obviously those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make various changes in the particular construction and arrangement'of parts without departing from the spirit of this invention, and therefore I do not wish to be limited except as hereinafter set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention,'what '1 claim as new and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

1. A metallic diaphragm comprising a plurality of metal leaves each formed normally to lie in a common plane, means interconnecting said leaves to provide a plurality of superposed hollow expansible chambers, the walls of which are adapted to lit flat, one against the other when collapsed, certain of said leaves having openings adapted to receive the connections between certain other leaves to permit the nesting of said leaves when the diaphragm is collapsed.

2. A metallic diaphragm comprising a plurality` of metal leaves each formed normally to lie in a lcommon plane, connecting means forminga fluid-tight interconnection between said leaves to provide a plurality of hollow expansible fluid chambers, the walls of which, when collapsed. are adapted to lie at one against the other, one of said leaves having means to,receive said connecting means to permit said leaves to lie fiat one against the other.

3. A diaphragm for fluid pressure operated devices comprising a series of substantially at metallic plates joined peripherally in `pairs to form a plurality of superposed expansible fluid chambers, pairs of 'openings formed substantially centrally of said plates forming communicating passageways between said chambers, suc1 'cessive pairs of openings being increasingly larger toward one end of -the diaphragm, and said latter end of the diaphragm having an opening of still larger diameter whereby torender- 5. As a new article of manufacture. a dia-4 I tacting pairs of plates being successively smaller whereby to permit peripheral securing thereof after the said pairs of plates have been centrally secured together. and means securing said contacting plates peripherally together to provide a plurality of superposed expansible iiuid `cham- 6. In a diaphragm for iluid presure operated devices, the combination of a series of separate expansible chambers comprising pairs of metallic plates each normally lying in asingle plane 'joined peripherally with mild-mt mtl. laid plates being oi' D01Y80nal shape and adjacent municatingwith eachother, auidinletto me oi said chambers and means for joining said chambers in -iluid-tight t comprising a circulary flange surrounding the opening in one of the adjacent plates and extending from the plane of the said adjacent plate, said iiange extending i throughtheopeningintheotheroiaaidplatea and overlappingtbeedgeoitheopeningintlnt latter plate, the said iiange being held in nuidtight engagement with the latter plate, adjacent plates being arranged in the vicinity ot the flange topermitiheplatestoreside ilatoneagainst the other when the diaphragm is collapsed, the said plates being formed with their peripheries lying substantially in their said piane. Y

'1. In a for iiuid pressure 'operated devices, the combination of a series of separate expansible chambers comprising pairs ot metallic plates each normally lying in a single plane and joined peripherally with fluid-tight joints,

said plates being polysonally shaped andv adjacent plates of adjacent chambers having substantially centrally arranged circular openings therein communicating with each other, a uid inlet to t,

one oif said chambers and means for joining said chambers in huid-tight eent comprising circular eyelets extending through said openings and bent outwardly und against the adjacentedgeaotthe openings'toholdthe platesat the edges oLsaid openings in permanent iiuidtight enmementiwith each other. and means aaaociated with the plates adjacent said eyelets cause the eyelets'to neat with adjacent eyeletsw'henthediaphrasmis collapsedwherebyto permitfhe plates to'reside nat one-against the other, the said plates lbeing iormed with their WILLIAM CIJH'ORD SHAW. 

